True Control

True #4.1

by Willow Madison

WAIT! YOU HAVE A DECISION TO MAKE BEFORE BUYING THIS BOOK!

Note from the author:

I’ve written two completely different, alternative endings to this series. See for yourself why fans are saying this makes all the other dark romances look like greyed out shades of fairytales.

This is the end one way or another.
~Willow

ONE OR TWO
There was only ever one ending for Max and Lucy, but I aim to please—or torture—however you wish to look at it. I believe in true choices, so I give you control of their fate to pick which ending you prefer.

LOST OR FOUND
This is the darker ending for Max and Lucy. The monster gets the girl. When love is lost, it may be impossible to find a way back to True Control.

NOTE: All the books in this series are available for purchase/download now, so you won’t be left wanting or waiting. This series involves a combination of Domestic Discipline, D/s, and Sm
Now available in paperback too!

Excerpts:

I know my girl. She didn’t know her submissive side when I met her. I saw it in her. I recognized the signs, saw what she could be for me. I didn’t go slow. I didn’t have patience. I didn’t ease her into anything.

I broke her and made her mine quickly. I forced her to submit to me completely. I gave her only one choice. One chance to back away from her destiny with me.

She can’t be lost. I need her. Here with me. I’m lost without her.

…..

He’ll kill me eventually. In a rage, he’ll do it without thinking. I start to cry again, but shout at myself to stop.

I look in the mirror again…I’m only getting more broken by the day…mentally and physically. I try to stand up, to take a deep breath. But I wince at my reflection.

I hear him shouting at me and I turn away from the girl in the mirror…I can’t be her today. I can’t be strong when I’m this weak.

Genres: Dark, Abuse, BDSM, Erotica, Romance, Contemporary, Dark Romance

174 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 14, 2015

About the author

For new release info, sign up for her (never spammy) newsletters:
http://willowmadisonbooks.com

Willow Madison enjoys writing in a variety of genres including dark psychological suspense, contemporary romance, and dark romance. All her books have one thing in common: an unflinching, unapologetic, uncompromising exploration into what dark corners our desires can take us.

Find yourself in Willow Madison Books

More About Willow . . .

Willow came into this world hand first, clutching a No 2 pencil between her chubby baby fingers. Coming up with ways to twist the lives of her Barbies and Kens was a favorite pastime from her towheaded youth.

In the wilds of the Windy City, her imagination really took off, resulting in all sorts of dramas, big and small.

Speaking of size, she prefers her male characters to be larger than life, unapologetically Alphaholish, and as close to so wrong he’s right as she can write.

Willow embodies a wanderlust, having explored five continents and called seven states home so far, with a hope to never lose her tumbling tumbleweed status unless it’s for the chance to live out her ultimate fantasy.

She’s had many loves, some four-legged and viciously fanged, others high in calories and covered in chocolate. Tacos are hard for her to resist, and she’s a firm believer that chili sauce makes most anything better.

A perfect day ends with stretching and a new book.

Some of this is fictitious. But you can’t fault her—Willow is a writer.

Connect with Willow . . .
https://www.facebook.com/willowmadiso...

Reviews

[Meredith is a hot mess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly don't know how to rate this. This is another rambling review. This was dark, painfully dark. Lucy was kidnapped and the descriptions of what she experienced at the hands of her captor were some of the harshest descriptions I've read. I've read some messed up stuff but this is up there. Sure, Max has been dedicated to Lucy throughout this series and his dedication to her really shown through in this book, but idk how I feel about them getting their own dysfunctional hea. I also felt like Ben was almost a plot device to show readers Max isn't that abusive.

While I agree with that sentiment, I think Max is abusive in a different way than Ben. Max definitely loves Lucy and Lucy likes being controlled...but that doesn't mean Max's behavior comes without consequences. I wanted to see more of Max's controlling behavior and watch Lucy handle herself as they navigated married life. True Beginnings is still my favorite out of the series. I think it's because that's where I got to see Max's controlling behavior start to manifest and escalate. Watching Max and Lucy interact after her ordeal in this book was emotionally difficult for me to read, yet my eyes were glued to the pages.

I will admit I was touched that Max still cared for Lucy and didn't make her feel 'ruined' after her ordeal and even accepted her unborn child. I hate to think of Max disciplining his children though, especially if it's a boy.

This book is difficult to review. My thoughts are everywhere and I have no 'final opinion.' I'm giving it 4 stars because this book kept me completely captivated and on the edge of my seat practically pulling out my hair wondering how everything would end. It also felt honest to the characters. I think for this series it was a good ending. I'm annoyed by dark romance books that get wrapped up neatly with a bow and sweet hea. This did have the bittersweet, dysfunctional hea I prefer. I felt very much like a voyeur while reading this series - viewing all the dirty laundry between a dysfunctional couple. I have to give credit to the author for staying true to Max's characterization and not having him do a 180 or extreme grovel. He's unapologetically himself.

Random notes:



I liked reading about Lucy's escape.

Max's inner dialogue was really fucking disturbing:

But I don’t kid myself. I need more than Lucy’s obedience. My dreams have been filled with punishing her, for not being here. My anger has nowhere to go. In my dreams, I give myself the release I need. I beat her, more than I ever have in reality. I use my belt, my fists. I hit her with the buckle. I watch her bleed under my hands. I choke her until her eyes are popping.

I wake from these dreams sweating, crying. Hard. I wake myself before I come. The monster in me, in my dreams, takes her every time, takes her bleeding body, her beaten, broken body, takes what’s mine to take.

I don’t kid myself. I am a monster. My Lucy is God knows where…and in my dreams, I torture her.

I didn’t picture just slapping her. I pictured breaking her lips open with my fist. I pictured her begging me to forgive her with blood on her mouth. I pictured grabbing her by her side and making her scream when her rib pops again while I squeeze. I pictured my nightmares coming to life.

I'll give Max credit for not living out those fantasies and giving Lucy time and space to heal...but geez. In a way I'm glad the author went there with Max, though. It was brazen.



I've left this really wishing Willow Madison had more published books :/ I can't freaking wait for Existential Angst.

[Ashleyjo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me during the first half of this book:













That's all you'll get out of me about that;) Some hard shit to read ,and that's most assuredly saying something considering the subject matter in books 1-3!

PM me for trigger warnings.

Second Half

There's no set criteria for how one responds to trauma. I think reaction depends on the person's personality, not specifically the 'what' that happens to them.

So, I expected Lucy to react to her recovery just as she did based on what I know of her personality. Same with Max.

I knew instinctively whether or not this would change the dynamics of their relationship. I WANTED them to have some huge Oprah'esc personal growth moment from it and find a new balance in the S/D that would be more comfortable for me, but that would really be like asking a leopard to remove its spots and become a house kitty. This actually made me respect the author even more for staying true to her characters.

I get the dynamics of Lucy and Max's relationship now - each crave, need, and accept exactly what the other offers. I don't feel it's healthy. I don't understand the why's of it. But that's okay because I'm not the one choosing it.

My final takeaway here hasn't changed from book 3, and that is tolerance for that which other's knowingly and willingly choose for themselves. Love? I'm still not sure. I think they at the very least love each as much as their own definitions of love allow.

The events of this book are riveting & an all together new sort of sadness and a very hard trial for the characters to endure as individuals and as a couple.

At first glance, on the surface, it's easy for readers to view 4.1 as a pointless emo addition since nothing really changes in the overall dynamics. I had this thought myself for a brief moment.

Ultimately, I feel 4.1 was a final test the author presented to herself, her characters, and the readers to see if the very volatile dynamics of this couple could survive the most brutal of outside forces testing it AND the strongest of deterrents a woman could possibly endure r/t future physical violence and pleasure being one with each other. In other words, the longevity?!

Longevity, after all, is that most prized uncertainty that "romance" readers want to be assured on, right? Well, we most certainly have that assurance here. The only question is how do you feel about knowing that lol?

For me, I think two people with very unique and frightening needs and gives found their perfect life-long match in each other.

A Note To Willow

I told you that my goal for this series ending was to be able to place these characters and this story in a comfortable, safe spot on a shelf. You didn't think that would happen. I still dislike everything about Max, still do not understand why Lucy makes the choices she does, and still feel that this is an abusive relationship.

BUT, I do see that the unique needs and desires of these two characters are a perfect polar opposite match for each other. They knowingly and willingly complete each other's baser needs in a way that few, if any, other people ever could. I accept that for them, even if I don't like it.

So, I will set them in the corner of a very high shelf, surround them in barb wire and land mines, & forbid them from ever traveling elsewhere along MY shelf. Take that shit and smoke it Max... MY MFING SHELF, asshole! Mine! Now, that final thought, (let me say it again... MY SHELF ) is a comfy place;)

[Louise H's Book Thoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

So addictive I read all 4 books over 2 days - and nights *ahem*. Good job it was the weekend!

The beating I gave her once would be nothing in comparison to this amount of rage. It wouldn't just be once. I'd have her black and blue for weeks for what she's done.
I stop pacing though.
It's no use to imagine. She's not here. God help me, she may never be here again.

Having taken the chance on the original, darker ending to Max and Lucy's story, I'm not sure if I want to read the alternative. Though I am super curious as to what happens in that book, having bought 4 books one after the other I'm not sure my pocket can take the financial hit. If I had any sense I would have saved myself a few quid and signed up to KU for the month - ain't hindsight a bitch?


Anyway, back to the important thing - my review of this dark beauty. So it's difficult to truly do this book justice in a review without scattering it with too many spoilers. And you need to go into this book as blind as I did, because that allows you to truly understand the TPE dynamic that Lucy and Max share.

I know my girl. Lucy didn't know her submissive side when I met her. I saw it in her. I recognized the signs, saw what she could be for me.
I broke her and made her mine quickly. I forced her to submit to me completely. I gave her only one choice, one chance to back away from her destiny with me. I smile thinking about that night.
She was so scared. And so yielding.

So all those debates we've had over whether this pairs relationship was healthy, was consensual, was a TPE or abuse, were blown wide apart in this book. Because the author took us down a pitch black path of genuine abuse. There are some very traumatic and possibly triggering events in this book and it really is a proceed with caution read. However if you appreciated the first three books (I'm not sure enjoyed properly describes the experience 😉) then hopefully you are someone who is used to the difficult and troubling journey a truly dark read can take us on.


Lucy suffers in new ways, ways that make clear her true feelings, needs and desires. Suddenly we see that she isn't the weak, doormat we all assumed her to be. We discover that her quietness is just her truth, her willingness to bend in order to please Max was her choice and her subservience was her pleasure. I owe the girl a massive apology, she is the strong one of the pair, the cement that secures their foundations.


I haven't mentioned it before, which is very remiss of me "Sorry, Sir." but Max had a very traumatic and difficult start to life. He suffered physical, emotional and mental abuse. It powers his need for control, and may well be the source of his anger. And I think it's the author's portrayal of that anger, constantly bubbling below the surface, that has concerned me most throughout this series. It wasn't until this book that I truly believed in Max. Truly understood the depth of his feelings for Lucy and accepted his ability to retain control of that anger.

I've never felt helpless before, powerless. I always had choices. And I know that it's choices that give a person control.
That's why I don't give Lucy any. I am in control. Of her. Of me.
But ... not now.

Within the first few chapters it became glaringly obvious that, however much Max's behaviour pushed our buttons, however much it made us uncomfortable, made us frown and judge (and oh boy does this book make that judgement so very apparent) Lucy fully agreed, participated and welcomed it. And yes, he does love her. Not in a way many of us could understand, not in a way many of us would probably want, but he loved her with every fibre of his being. It's a crazy way of caring, but it's what they both want and need.

She tries to stall, talk back. Bad move, little girl. I slap her. Not her left side, this is still too hurt.

Whilst this isn't a conventional love story, whilst it isn't a typical romance, IMO it does deserve both labels. Each couple are entitled to live and love in the way that best suits them, and that's what Max and Lucy do.


Even that final chapter, where it could be assumed that Max took away every last scrap of Lucy's ability to choose and decide. I was just getting angry at Max for not respecting Lucy's wishes when I realised that he was doing exactly what Lucy wanted. If she truly hadn't wanted that reaction from him she could have made some very different decisions earlier in the day.

I am a monster. And she just loves me. Always.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The darker ending.

This series finishes with two alternative endings, this is the darker of the two and while the whole series has been dark and disturbing this is even more so.
The last book finished with Lucy's disappearance and as you can imagine Max is frantic to find her and has not only the police but also a private investigator on the case. Max is concerned that once the truth about their relationship comes out then the police will focus too much on him.
I never imagined this book would turn out like it did it was truly horrendous and it never lets up also, and I never thought I'd say this but there's someone in this book that makes Max look positively kind and gentle.
I need to read the next ending to decide which one I prefer but my money's on the lighter one.

[Hana ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

So this series ended with the option of two alternate endings. A darker version and a lighter one, I of course read both because I was curious :O this is my review for the DARKER version (cue dramatic music). *****A few spoilers ahead******




Ok, so this was very dark and disturbing and our lovely, docile heroine goes through a very traumatic experience that scars her (and me). It was difficult to read because there is rape, and messed up shiz but I still found myself flipping through my kindle at an inhuman speed like the weirdo I am. I did however like the ending and it was a HEA in my eyes. I did like this version better than the lighter one just because of how events turn out... and because I've kinda grown fond of our resident bully Max <3 I personally would recommend people to read this series and read this ending instead of the lighter version because it's BETTER!! (Especially for Max fans)

I will definitely continue to look out for other books by this author and continue to torment myself with her books!! :)

[Nikki "The Crazie Betty" V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of spoilers ahead, so don’t read this review if you aren’t familiar with the characters and this story.

This was by far the best ending, in my opinion. The characters stayed true to themselves and didn’t have a lobotomy like they did in 4.2.

This installment takes place directly after the events in #3 where we find out that Lucy has been kidnapped by a gentleman that her and Max met briefly while on their honeymoon.. During this time Lucy is repeatedly assaulted and raped, while also being neglected and abused in other horrible demeaning ways. This guy is one sick bastard and makes Max look like a full on angel.

Of course while Lucy is fearing for her life, and trying to figure out how to get out of her current situation, Max is having to deal with the drama at home of having to explain to detectives and police officers that, yes, he does have a DD relationship with Lucy so there are some slaps and whippings. Everyone is dead set that Max is the perpetrator here which is ridiculous. Of course he also finds out during this time that Lucy and Jake have been seeing quite a lot of each other. Jake admits how he feels about Lucy but explains to Max that she was only speaking with him because she didn’t know how to talk to Max about her fears for their future. Like whether she would or wouldn’t be able to get pregnant.

Anyway, I’m not going to give away how Lucy escapes her captor (I loved these scenes), but suffice it to say the bastard gets what’s coming to him. Once Lucy is safely back with Max, the difficult situation of healing and coming to terms with what has happened becomes the center of the story. Max is worried about Lucy’s emotional and physical health after the experience. Lucy worries that Max won’t be able to look at her in the same way anymore, and won’t be able to help her become “his good girl” again.

I loved how this ended and was so happy to see that they stayed true to themselves and each other. Even after such an awful experience. It really shows that this is who Max and Lucy are and want to be.

I received a copy of this story for free from the author in exchange for my honest review.

[Christi Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was hoping Max would realize how much he was hurting her. Max and his dad are in great need of a GIANT whoop ass! Being submissive is one thing, being a punching bag.... Being turned on by wanting to almost KILL...nuh uh...

[Sherlan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trash... don't be fooled by the "a dark erotic romance" tag because there is nothing romantic or erotic about this story. don't waste your time.

[Cécile Smits · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was no stopping until this final chapter of a real dark beauty.
I HAD to know,i NEEDED closure,and boy did i get it!
A warning first,though....if you don’t like your stories dark,DO NOT read this one.
But if you dó like them dark......go right ahead,and enjoy!

Of the two options,i choose the darker version.
Why? Because i had a feeling that’s the option that Lucy would prefer.
She likes the darker,commanding version of Max.
And having to go through a really bad situation,makes her understand that even more.
And she sees his expectations of her,his way of dealing with her when she disobeys as something she needs,badly.
To be honest,it took me the entire series,right up to this book,to see Max for who he is.
I know he has been honest with her from the start,i know he told her what to expect.
And i know he doesn’t apologise for the kind of man he is,but.
He dóes have a background that could’ve easily made him another man,a real abusive man.
The times where he isn’t able to reign in his anger,are still better than the alternative.
He dóes know what he’s doing,he dóes know he likes seeing her marked,and he dóes know it could be só much worse....
In this chapter of their story,it’s also clear what he will do for his Lucy.
And thát,right there,shows how much he dóes love her.
At the same time,this final chapter shows how strong Lucy really is.
I already knew some of it,by the way she chose to be with Max,how thoroughly she thought about it.
But here,with what she goes through,how she manages to survive?
And after that,she still NEEDS to be with Max?
Only worrying about him,if he still wants her?


This really was the perfect end!
I loved the light that shone in all this beautiful darkness.

Now....do i try the lighter option,that is the only remaining question....
To get a full picture,to see if i am right about prefering this option,i know i should....

[Regina Shiderly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so this is the happily ever after book for Max and Lucy. The monster gets the girl. And I loved every word of it. Yeah, Max is a dark, dark, dark Alpha male. But and this is a big one, he absolutely loves his Lucy and that makes all the difference.

When a man sets his sights on one single woman and all other women cease to exist for him, it is pure beauty. When Max does it, I am filled with butterflies and grinning from ear to ear. From book 1, Max set his sights on Lucy and knew that she was his one.

And Lucy, her love for Max is a beautiful thing. She goes through so much in this book, it truly could have broken another woman but she found her inner strength and forged through. I truly loved how Willow Madison wove the elements in this book from the previous books and formed a cohesive whole. I won’t spoil the story for anyone but I will say it was genius how Lucy eventually worked through her angst and realized that her submission to Max was what saved her in the end. Pure genius on Willow Madison’s part.

I am sad to see the end of this series but I know Max and Lucy are still out there happily spanking and being spanked. And controlled. And loved… *cries*

This book isn’t just read, it is experienced. I experienced gut wrenching tears, heartbreaking love, and overwhelming joy. In the end, Max stayed true to who he was and Lucy learned that she could thrive under his control. Love, love, loved this book.

[Willow Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished this book. This author is brave!!!! I love that she is willing to write what she wants despite what the world in general deems acceptable.

Man, I was so pissed off with this book. I think my hands were balled in fist. I didn't even want my family to talk to me for a while. I lost my appetite and everything.

This ending had some pretty hardcore action going on. If it was possible to shoot a character with a twelve-gage, I would have been all up in this story!

I had no choice but to go download book 4.2 because I have to know what the alternate ending is about. If it's anything like 4.1, im going to end up needing some blood pressure tabs.

Enjoy this twisted, screwed up story. Although highly entertaining, I didn't particularly like this book, I keep hearing the song, It's a thin line between love and hate.

[Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This was a solid series. I consider the romance dark, even though it stayed mostly consensual, because of how far the male lead took the nature of their relationship. Total Power Exchange. I really loved it, and though Max would appall most, I really warmed to the psycho.

In real life, he’d suffocate me ( I’d be like, let me order my own damn food, you muffinbrain). In a book, he’s the swooniest thing ever.

I’m ignoring the alternate ending. I read some spoilers and I already know I’d hate it. This ending completely satisfies me. I definitely prefer this series to Willow’s other series, and those books were still pretty good.

TW: non con, violence

[Marian · Rating 5 out of 5]

As soon as I started reading I was trapped, I didn't expect at all the turn of events after True Choices (didn't read the reviews to avoid spoilerish details). The first few chapters were full of angst and dispair and the worse part was trying to imagine what was going to happen next, I couldn't help but create so many different scenarios in my mind...

This book is a twisted knot, an emotional whirlwind that drags you with its power. It makes you FEEL, it doesn't let you be unattached to the characters or what they're going through. Even though I was not quite ready for a dark read right now, I couldn't let this story go unfinished for one more day, and boy I'm I glad I did! I think I was fearful to read the end of Max and Lucy and that it'd be tragic, but the author has written a perfect ending for these two tough lovers. Willow shows a huge (and 'd like to stress the huge) capacity of perception and insight into human nature and the power of the darkness that we all carry inside. Because we all carry a monster inside, it's a part of who we are. Max and Lucy accept it and are happier because of it. What does it say about us?

I'd highly recommend this book, this trilogy, for those of you who aren't scared to look into your uglier side and are free of judgement, you'll love this. But avoid this book if you have lots of triggers, if you're very sensitive or enjoy more the sweeter side of romance, this is not a bodice-ripper and absolutely not a sweet read.

Thank you, Willow, for this magnificent experience.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

As stated by the author, there are 2 choices here in which ending you choose.
I chose True, 4.1. Am I disappointed with this choice, most definitely not. Almost broke my rule on strictly no spoiling but I won’t.

10 days of additional darkness, cryptic yes. If you choose this ending, you will understand. Again, for the faint hearted, think twice upon this choice. You may not like what is written.

On another note, my curiosity is eating at me. Do I want to read choice 2 ..... damn if I do, damn if I don’t, as this will be shadowing me.
Choice done, will also read choice 2 and compare. Will add review and decide which ending was best for me.

[Valentina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good intrigue with this story and the heroine’s kidnapping. I liked the hero’s brother’s secret visits angle. In the end I still found this “love affair” abusive, a relationship of punishment. As this series ended, I couldn’t root for the couple.

The hero was never held accountable for failing to protect the heroine, for misjudging situations and blaming and punishing the heroine — I don’t care if she did “like” it. The hero was just controlling, domineering but without the charm, not redeemable. Just a caricature of punisher so the story has no appeal. Essentially this was just a series about an abusive, insecure man with anger issues displaced upon a weak, brainwashed young woman.

[Nicky نیکی · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely not a fairly tale ending but then I didn’t really expect one. This was hard for me to read due to what the heroine endured. It was some heavy, disturbing stuff. I was relieved that the hero was there for her at the end.

['Q' aka CoCo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the darker of the two, so of course it's my favorite. What an incredible end to an amazing series. This is a dark read, so take heed of the warnings and buckle up. I loved every second of it. In the beginning, Max can't decide if he's pissed that the chores aren't done or if he's worried that Lucy's gone, but it soon becomes clear that something has happened to the poor girl, and it's something bad indeed. Definitely a twist I didn't see coming, and that is always a pleasant surprise!

[Dara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best dark erotica series of the year. Extreme, sexy, mysterious, Erotic, tender, heartwarming, turns, and twist. What is there not to love!

[Willow Madison]

FINALLY! True Control 4.1 is available in paperback:
https://www.createspace.com/6132169

[Karen Denise Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

I applaud the author for sticking to her guns and writing what she wanted to write. But for me, writing about taking a woman through the process of breaking her mind, body and soul, isolating her, molding her into a slave with no choices in life, using intimidation, humiliation, emotional and physical abuse to do it, and her never once standing up for herself knowing that she is only going to get more abuse and never going to have more in life, well it's not for me.

I see it in real life too often. Women who don't know that they are worth more, who have no where to go and no one to help them, who accept a life of loveless misery. It's heartbreaking, and that is ALL I got from this series. Not a dark romance, not erotica, only brutal domestic abuse. A woman should NEVER have to be scared in her own home. If Lucy were truly happy with getting beaten and abused, she wouldn't have been scared. There was nothing redeemng about Max.

There is no happy ending. There is no hope. There is no true, selfless love for Lucy. There never can be in an abusive, absolute control relationship. And in this first ending it's just Lucy allowing Max to continue to abuse her even after she had time to reflect on her life and how bad it was, how scared she was, how much she had given up. If we don't have hope, there is no reason to go on. And this series didn't even give any hope.

2 stars for the writing, but I definitely feel like I wasted my time and emotions.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Max and Lucy......he never stopped loving her and he knew what his "little girl" needed-some tough love to get her back into the right frame of mind, which was obeying him. Lucy went thru a terrible ordeal, but Max was always in her head keeping her strong,telling what to do.....Max did save her in the long run. Max did not change, Max was Max all the way and I really felt his rage coming off my kindle,he fought to keep control. I thought the fact that he would wait till Lucy healed before He himself punished her was funny(how kind of him:)Max is a hard character to like he rules with a strong hand and I had a hard time with him but I kept on seeing how Lucy just loved,loved loved him and in this book I fell a little in love with the monster:))

[Shirley Verdin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This ending, 1 of 2 possible endings, is NOT what I thought it would be but then again so were they rest of the books. They have a different turn. While all being Max and his controlling life, they all had the mystery of what was going to happen. This one being a ending that is torturous. Just when you think Lucy cant experience any other punishment, she experiences the ultimate one. One any woman couldn't bear to even think about. All I could do is just shake my head throughout this whole story. In some cases, Max STILL thinking of punishments for Lucy even with him not knowing what's going on with her, and her wanting to be punished for it. It am truly convinced she is brainwashed, that the only thing I can come up with. So this is not my ending but it is a good one.

[Neisha † The Poet † · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max + Lucy

I am in love. I am in awe. I am inspired.

Max was alpha male excellence and when I say alpha male I mean top of the line, tell the world I spank/slap my wife, who gone stop me type man. There was no shame in the way Max treated Lucy, and I figured this book would be like many others where he would change to try to become more normal but he said “screw normal this is me”.

I need more stories like this without the bdsm but just a play on a VERY traditional marriage and a man that will put his foot down.

[Eva Dingenskirchens · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a five star read if you like
- long, detailed descriptions of sexual assault
- animal cruelty
- overly emotional (anger) male reactions
- relationships with absolutly broken down communication
- domestic abuse
- generational trauma

[sam linerre · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found myself getting more and more disappointed with Lucy practically after every page I read. I felt she was painfully weak in every sense of the word. Being submissive shouldn't rob you of yourself

[Ese]

I can't, I just can't.